After listening to/reading the poem and the poet's comments, spend some time reflecting on the information you have gained this week about the mass killings in Rwanda in 1994. I'd like to hear from you on two topics this week:
- What is your response to the video (or reading if you didn't view the film) and the guest speaker? What things would you say to Mr. Rutayisire if you had the opportunity to speak one on one with him?
- The poet claims that the blood of Rwanda is "on our hands". She implies that the USA (and the world powers in general) played a role in the violence because nothing was done to stop it. Do you agree with her opinion? Why or why not?
I think that the killings in Rwanda are horrible. I think I would ask him what was the scariest and most intense moment in the genocide. Then what was the relief you felt after you knew it was over. I think we could have played a much bigger role in the events that happened than we did. If we would have used military intervention sooner it would have saved lots of lives.
ReplyDeleteWesley Moose
I think that all people are equal, no matter their color or race. It is so horrible how all of those people were killed for no paticular reason, only because they were Tutsis. People should have known better than to do that. When I saw the video on this, I was horrified to think that human beings had done this to each other.
ReplyDeleteStephanie Menten
5th Period
My response is that this video is disturbing and difficult to watch. Who would want to kill anyone, let along their neighbor or own countryman? One question that I would ask Mr. Rutayisire is could you ever forget what you saw in Rwanda or forgive the people who committed these horrible crimes. I agree with the poet that America and other nations have the blood of Rwanda on their hands. The US did not go to their aid to save or defend the people from the massacre. If nations did go over there, their men/women would be risking their lives, but that is one strong characteristic of America.
ReplyDeleteThis video is soooooo hard to watch, without crying. Who cares if you are a Hutu or a Tutsi??!!I don't know, but its just wrong. If i met Mr. Rutayisire, I would ask him if what he had expierienced, had made a scar of emotion on him.If I had expierienced that, i would never get over it my whole life.
ReplyDeleteI thought the guest speaker was amazing. It was really cool to see the side of his story. He had gone through so many things that we dream about in our worst nightmares. The video was so sad and hard to watch. I couldn't even think about anything else. I was in shock when I saw all those lifeless bodies on the ground. I would ask Mr. Rutayisire how hard it was to know that your family is probably dead. I could certainly not go through that. I also liked how he did not give up on God.
ReplyDeleteI think the poet is right. It is our fault as Americans but, it is also the fault of all the idiots who sat and argued over who was going to pay the expenses. Stand up and look at what's happening. If your country goes in debt, who cares? If it was to stop mass killings I wouldn't. It does not make sense that you are arguing who is going to pay when there are people Dying. We could have stopped it earlier, but we didn't.
Caleb Main
6th period
Mrs. Tuck
If I had the chance to speak with Mr. Rutayisire, I would ask him if he ever took part in the violence in Rwanda. If he did, I would ask him if he feels bad about it and if he was intentionally involved or if he was protecting someone or himself? If he didn't participate in the violence, does he feel that he should have in order to help his people?
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with the poet that the UN and countries of the world should have intervened because it would have stopped a lot of unnecessary bloodshed. Even though we could have stopped it, the people that started it are not innocent. The assasination of one president was not worth the death of 800,000 citizens.
Overall, I believe that we (meaning other counties, the UN and the US) stepped in way too late. This still doesn't excuse the actions of those people of Rwanda that committed the genocide. I hope that the US and other countries will attempt to stop genocide from happening again in the future.
I thought it was truly sad that life can be so cruel in one part of the world and in the other part we can have almost anything we want and live in almost total safety. I'm extremely glad that I watched the video and heard Mr. Rutayisire speak because now I see how much we have and how little other countries have. This was a very important lesson that we all need to hear.
If I could speak with Mr. Rutayisire one on one, I would ask him if anybody in his "crew" or the people he traveled with were killed. If so, was he hurt emotionally by that?
ReplyDeleteTo me, yes, I do agree with her. I think that it is wrong that the UN and other countries like the US only helped the white people out of there, because no matter what color or ethnicity, they should have saved who ever they could. I also think that we should have stepped in before it was too late and there had already been mass killings.
My response is a feeling of sadness. It’s hard to think something like this ever happened. I feel confused as to why they couldn’t work something out without killing. It was great to hear about Mr. Rutayisire’s experiences and how he’d like to visit again. I liked how he relied on God through it all. If I had the opportunity to speak with Mr. Rutayisire, I would say that I am sorry he had to experience something so horrifying in his lifetime. I would ask how he feels this event has affected the future of the children in Rwanda and how do they feel about it all. How will the people of Rwanda keep this from happening again in the future?
ReplyDeleteI do not completely agree with the poet. It is not the fault of USA or world powers because it is a shame the Hutu and Tutsi people couldn’t communicate and work it all out before all of the lives were lost and everything got out of control. The world powers might have been too slow in helping to stop the fighting. They might have been trying to work out the best way to end the killing and they couldn’t agree to the best solution. If it was because of them worrying over who would pay the “bill”, they should have helped end it first and then argued over the money later.
I believe that the U.S.A should have helped out with the massacre in Rawanda. Sure they would have been risking thier lives but it would have saved the lives of many innocent people. I agree with the poet that the blood of Rawanda is in our hands. If I could speak with Mr. Rutayisire one on one i would ask him if he was scared emotionally by what he saw in Rawanda and if witnessed anyone being murdered. Another question I would ask is if he could ever forgive or forget what happend in Rawanda.
ReplyDeleteCourtney Hutchins
6th period
I think that if we would have used millitary action even if the government said we cant that we were doing the right thing, I belive that all the people in Rwanda were overjoyed that the genocide was over. The Tutsi's were so happy that they were going to stop fighting for their survival and finally rest. Although the families had lost many members the ones that were left were upset, and also happy that the genocide was over and they did not have to fall asleep terrified of being killed while they were sleeping.
ReplyDeleteIf i could talk with Mr.Rutayisire i would ask him what he felt like when he knew the genocide was over? How did you fell for the first time you saw snow? And that I was sorry that your family was lost in the genocide.
I think the poet meant that the blood of the people in Rwanda that were killed was on our hands because we did not do one thing too help and we didnt stop the genocide, so the blood is on our hands I agree with her!
I think that the genocide was really horrible, and I don't know how they suddenly became these murderers, or how they found it in themselves to kill their own neighbors. But if I'd a chance to speak with Mr. Rutayisire, I would probably ask him if there were signs that the genocide would happen.
ReplyDeleteI also think that hearing him talk about what happened was amazing, and I can't imagine how he must've felt.
I agree with the poet, I really think that if we had stepped in, many people would've been saved. It horrifies me that they did practically nothing to stop all the killings.
I thought the the guest speaker Mr. Rutayisire was very good. It was interesting to hear from someone who experienced first hand what happened in Rawanda. If I could speak with him one on one I would ask him if he has nightmares about what happened in Rawanda. I can't imagine what it must have felt like to be there.
ReplyDeleteThe film made me very sad and scared. I would never want to go there because I would be freaked out that it might happen again while I was there. I cried during the film because I couldn't believe what was happening. I don't understand why they killed women and children. Why would grown men and women kill children? How could they live with themselves?
I do agree with the poet that the blood of Rawanda is on our hands. The USA usually always steps up to help other countries and they waited too long. It shouldn't matter what race or background you come from.
I think it's very important to learn about historical events like the genocide in Rawanda. This could have happened anywhere in the world and hopefully we have learned from this situation and won't ever let it happen again.
Mackenzie Greenly
3rd Period
The video was sad and hard to watch.I think that the death of one president is not worth the killing of 800,000 citizens.
ReplyDeleteIf I could talk to Mr.Rutayisire one on one I would ask him how he took seeing others that you lived with turn and kill so many people.I think it sad that he went through things that are our worst nightmares in real life.
I do agree with the poet.I think that it is wrong and pathetic that the UN, US, and other countries didn't step in and to something sooner.I still think that the people in Rwanda that started the genocide should be held responsible too though.
If i had the chance to speak with Mr. Rutayisire alone,I wouuld ask him what it was like to have seen this tradgidy happen. Also what his feelings and thoughts were.
ReplyDeleteI do agree with her. I do because i feel that if we would have sent over more people faster to help, we could have stopped the genocide quicker.
Jamie O'Dell
3rd Period
Wow, how could somebody kill like that, let alone that it was their own countrymen they were killing. When I first saw the video I was awestrucken, Jjust lo9ok at the pain and the agony the Rawandan people did to their own contrymen. I was very suprised at all the ways they killed, when my mom said it would be hard to see I didn't know it would be that bad. If I could say anything one on one with Mr. Rutayisire I would probably ask him if he would ever forgive the people that tried to kill him and if he would forgive the UN for stepping in way too late.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with the poet not only because the UN didn't step in in time but also because if another surrounding country had stepped in the killings would be probably be less. If the UN had stepped in earlier their probably could have been some lives saved. Also I think it is ironic that one of the people on the UN security boards was the president of Rawanda, who was a Hutu himself who was ordering people to kill the Tutsi's. I hope that at least someone agrees with me on that subject. I think that the UN should have kept him (the president of Rawanda) away form that meeting, and maybe there would have been a better outcome.
Drew Lischke
3RD Period
If I could talk with Mr.Rutayisire I would not ask him anyhting too personal because I would not want to upset him with any memories. Rascisim was one of the main causes for the geonocide in Rwanda. I agree with the fact that the United States didn't do much to help. The president at that time though was Bill Clinton, and he wasn't the best president our nation has had. There is a little bit of good in this geonocide. Since it has happened, hopefully it won't happen again because it was horrible and I don't think anyone wants to repeat it.
ReplyDeleteJohn Morgan
3rd periood
I thought that the guest speaker had such an amazing story and im so glad he told it to us. If i had lived back than and was just watching my friends and family get killed by there own friends and family i dont know what thought would have passed my head. I think that the U.S.A. could have played a much bigger part in this and it really makes me upset that they didnt do much. So i do agree with her opion.
ReplyDeleteCassie HOlland
Tuck
5th period
Yes i agree with her because I think it is sorry that we didnt help and that the French did. I also think that they should have at leats gone and helped stop the killing just a little. I also think it was sorry for that they only helped the white people. I think no matter what color you are you should always help someone that is in trouble.
ReplyDeleteAustin Britt
Sep/20/2010
6th period
I agree 100% with the poet. I think every one was equal rights no matter what they look like.
ReplyDeleteIf I saw the speaker again I would ask him if he was hurt in any kind of way. If he ever saw his family again what would he say? I thought the video was wery hard to watch and comprehend and I'm glad we dont have a test or anything on it. I think the Rwandan insident was totally wrong and we could have found another was to get rid of Tutis besides killing them!
Alexandra Ziglar
5th period
It's horrible how the Hutus and Tutsis treated each other. That would be like KMS attacking Southeast just because we're rival schools! If I was alive then I would do everything I could just to help the Rwandans. I could never imagine living for 100 days through all that lunacy and utter chaos!!!!
ReplyDeleteIf I could've spoken to Mr. Rutayisire, I would've asked him what his first thought and reaction when he heard about what was happening. Also, I was a little hesitant about what he was saying about when he almost was killed. He mentioned that the man put his machete on his shoulder. Did he actually get cut? If not what did he do to escape?
All people should be treated the same. When someone is treat different it makes you rude. If could speak with Mr. Rutayisire I would ask him while you were escaping what were you thinking ever about turning around to find your family? Also, did you ever hurt a Hutus?
ReplyDeleteI agree that we should of helped them out. If USA helped stop the violence it would of saved a lot of more lives. It would of saved more Tuttis. I can not understand why other countries did not help either. It is sad that 800,000 tuttis died and we did mot help them.
I think the video was so sad and awful. I couldn’t believe there were 800,000 people killed and we, as Americans, didn’t help. As I was watching the video and heard that neighbors turned on neighbors, I almost started crying. I can’t believe anybody would ever do that just because the government told them to. If I had the chance to speak one- on- one with Mr.Rutayisire, I would ask him if he thinks the Tutsis really did shoot down the plane. I would also ask him if he regrets not trying to help his parents.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with the poet that we played a big part in the genocide. We could have and should have helped the hurt people or tried to stop some of it. We also should have made peace with the two ethnic groups. After hearing the poem it made me realize that if we would have tried to do one thing to help these people it could have saved a person’s live and changed the course of history. The poet is saying strong words but they are true and we need to learn from what happened in history. Instead of lying back next time something like this happens and watching we can actually help. When this horrible killing accured whoever was in charge or part of our government should be very ashamed of themselves.
My response would have to be that I didn't like the blood and the killing. I wish that the genocide never happened between the Hutu's and the Tutsi's. I don't get why they they would kill them for no reason. I liked it when the speaker came. He was very interesting i enjoyed hearing about how he was threatened to be kill and someone was protecting him so he won't get hurt. Also how they described the Hutu's and Tutsi's. He was a Hutu but they thought he was a Tutsi by the way he looked.
ReplyDeleteI kind of agree with the poet because we should of done more to stop this from happening, but we didn't. The reason she said the bloods in our hands is beacause we didn't help. Also 800,000 people died in a "Snapp of a finger".
Ashton Coley
6th period
Mrs.Tuck
I feel that the video was so sad and awful. We, Amercians, and many more should feel ashamed. We let this happen, we didn't stop it. I'd ask him what was the scariest part, what would you do if you didn't escape? So what if yuor a Hutu or a Tutsis, your both humans. It's just like kids today with who has designer brands and who doesn't.
ReplyDeleteI think she means that we just watched, we didn't help. We sat there as if it wasn't our business, as if they weren't human enough to save. I now think we wished to do something, even though we didn't. Rwanda was kind of our fault, their blood is on our hands now.
I think the video was very disturbing to watch, to think that humans could commit crimes like this for no reason other than some one told them to. I do believe that the blood of Rwanda is in our hands because we had a chance to stop the whole thing from happening but didn't because we were afraid to call the event genicyde. If i could speak with Mr. Rutayisire I would ask him what he was thinking through the evnt, I know that if the same thing had happend to me I would be scared and unable to think straightly to get out of the situation.
ReplyDeleteAnd then to think he had survived all the problems in Rwanda and was then diagnosed with luikemia I would have thought myself to be one of the most unlucky people in the world, but yet through all he has been throgh Mr. Rutayisire considers himself to be extremely lucky.
I think that is pretty incredible.
Spencer Hester
9/20/10
5th
I found that the video was very sad and a little disturbing at moments. I find it amazing that so many people survived after being seriously hurt. If I could talk to Mr. Rutayisire I would mainly talk about what happened and how he managed to survive while so many other lives were lost. I do agree that some of what happened is on our hands, but it isn't really our responsibility to keep other countries under control. Of course we step in at times, but we have our own country to run. I think that it it bad that people are being killed because what they look like. The one part about the poem that I didn't agree with was the part where she said that the people took only whites. It might be true but I find that another reason for people to blame things on white people like they do slavery. It might have been our ancestors faults, but that doesn't mean that you have to blame us for it. I think it is bad that we didn't help more, but it wasn't our fault in the first place.
ReplyDeleteI think it must of been hard for Mr. Rutayisire to talk to us about what happend. Just thinking of how your family and friends died it must of been hard. Because for me it would of been hard fro me I wouldnt even be able to give a speech to other people about what happend. I think about it and I wish dat I was able to do stop the voilance. but if i could ask
ReplyDeleteMr. Rutayisire a question i would have asked him do you still have at least one reliative alive over their in Rwanda?
The movie for me was sad and scary. I felt like they are doining that to our counry. Why dose it matter if were diffrent blood when we are all humans. I felt bad and i wish I was there and stop everything of the saddnes.Now in this time I now there sufferimg of the past and saddness and peaple that died.Now Rwanda s blood is our hands.
ReplyDeleteI feel that the video was very sad because it is so disgusting how a whole country can turn on each other like that in a second. I think that the UN should have stoped it before it started but the head of the UN said they had no right to kill anyone without being attacked first. I felt that the speaker was very brave to do what he did and then make it out alive is amazing. I think that we should be ashamed that we did not try to stop it.
ReplyDeleteI strongly agree with her poem. I think the UN should have done way more than they did. They should have gotten as much of the wepons they could have gotten then kept it. Then when they would leave for they would keep sending prople their to make sure none of the wars were starting back up.
ReplyDeleteIf I saw Mr. Rutayisire again I would ask him what was he thinking when he saw the Russan's were coming? Then the next question I would ask him would be does he still miss his family?
I believe that what this poet is saying is completely true- the blood of Rwanda is on our hands. Americans were not at all in time to save or help any Rwandans. It is horrifying and shocking to see neighbors, family and personal friends throwing all of that away and forgetting everything just to kill off another ‘type’ of people. It was in so many ways wrong and defied so many moral principals. I believe if everyone acted the way these people did in Rwanda, everyday would be a mass killing until there was one man left standing. It would be a chaotic place to live, no one being safe, and no one having an escape. There are many refugees here in the United States alone, and I am so glad that those people made it through that horrid and bloody time in their lives. If I had a one on one discussion or ‘questioning’ time with Mr. Rutayisire I would not know exactly where to begin. Maybe I would ask him how he has managed to get past knowing that his family had been brutally killed…or how he has had the strong motivation that he has had, allowing him to be here now. I would give him much credit for having a mostly positive outlook on his experience and being able to be happy now. Most people I would have to say would be depressed and bitter for the rest of their lives. Though Mr. Rutayisire I believe is emotionally scarred as much as other people who lived through the genocide, he is glad to be here and a very grateful and appreciative man.
ReplyDeleteI think it was interesting what Mr.Rutayisire told us. I don't have any questions to ask him because he said and answered the questions i was wondering about. I think the video was realy bad and sad. I don't know why people killed eachother for no reason.
ReplyDeletei agree with the poet bescause i think other countries couldve done something to make it stop.A lot of people were getting killed and they didn't do anything to make it stop.
It was realy sad what Mr.Rutaysire had to go threw if I was in his place I would be realy freaked out. If I had to ask him a question it would be if he knew that someone in his familey was alive what would he do??? I do agree with the poem that the blood of Rwanda is in our hands because if it ever happens again (I hope not) this time we might me abble to do something instead of what happen in 1994.
ReplyDeleteEven though I watched the video days ago, the word “Rwanda” still sends a chill through me. Just thinking about it makes me feel queasy and sad. I can't seem to wrap my brain around the thought that about 800,000 people were killed in the genocide. While watching the video I could hardly believe what I was seeing. The hundreds of people dead on the sidewalk gave me the creeps. I couldn’t believe that people were that violent to people in their own country! Even when I picture wars I don’t get an image as clear and horrible as this. At least in wars there are safe places like camps. There’s somewhere to hide, in Rwanda there was no-where to hide; not in your church, a school, the woods or even your own home! People being slaughtered left and right is sickening to me. It was almost worse listening to the guest speaker though. The reality of the situation in Rwanda became clearer as I heard what he had to say. Only in my dreams can I imagine what living in Rwanda would be like, and that dream would be my worst nightmare. If I could talk to Mr. Rutavisire one on one I’m not sure what I would say. I’m still amazed that some-one survived that horrible event, and happened to come here. If I had to ask him something, I would probably ask if he thought it was, in any way possible that his family survived. I would ask him to talk about where he had lived; if he’d liked it there before the killings began and so on. I agree with the poet to a certain extent. On one hand, I feel like the USA and other countries shouldn’t have turned a blind eye to Rwanda, but on the other hand, I feel like there wasn’t much we could have done to stop it. The genocide wasn’t just happening; the people truly believed that either the Hutus or Tutsis should be “exterminated”. If we’d interfered the only thing we’d achieve would be getting ourselves killed. One thing is for sure though; the genocide in Rwanda is a tragedy that still sends a chill down my spine.
ReplyDeleteThe video was so sad. There were so many people to be killed by their own people. I don't see why the U.S. didn't help them. We just left them to die and suffer. We were sent on rescue missions, but retreated. I feel sorry for the people that lived their and for our guest speaker. I could tell he has been through a lot in his life in Rwanda . If I had the chance to speak to him one on one I would ask so many questions. The main question I wouId ask is how doe he deal with all the bad memories. Does talking about it help his healing? After hearing him talk, it made me realize how blessed we are in America. I could not imagine loosing my family the way he did. I was so saddened.
ReplyDeleteThe video was very sad and hard to watch. I feel that we as Americans should be ashamed because we just stood there and watched. I feel that we Americans are greedy because we only helped the American people get out of Rwanda. I feel bad for the ones that died and the ones that were family or friends of those who died. I think that we should have stepped in and helped no matter what any one else said because it would have been the right thing to do. I am sure that there are Rwandans that hate America for what they did and I am sure there are Americans that hate them selves for what they did also. I agree with the speaker of the poem and that the blood of Rwanda is on our hands.
ReplyDeleteI think if I could talk to Mr.Rutayisire one on one I would not ask any personal questions.I would ask questions like do you have any friends that are in the U.S.A with you now.I belive god was on his side and he was very lucky to have found the U.S.A.The vidio and the guest speaker made me think twice before asking for something I really did not need.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it was partly the U.S.A's fault because they just sat there like there was none of their business to help out.I also think if we did do somethingthere would have been a lot less blood in rwanda.Hopefully it will not happen again and everybody has learned there lesson.
Daniel Hayes
3rd period
Mrs.Tuck
That video was so moving in every way. It almost made me cry! We (the U.S.A.) totally should have done something to stop it! I bet the UN wishes they would of told the soldiers to go ahead and do what they wanted! I would ask him what,if anything, happened to his group that he was travelling with. What made his wife travel by foot? Does he know any other people who survived the massacre? I still can't believe that those people did that! It doesn't matter who you are, or what race you are, we're all still human.
ReplyDeleteWhen I 1st saw the video I could bare to watch anymore. To see what happened to these people if Rwanda was awful. Watching the blood on the ground in the rivers, in the class rooms from people of all ages was disgusting. The fact that people have the mind to do that means I am extremely glad where I am and to know I’m safe. Learning that 800,000 people were killed in there makes me feel as an American even worse. All the people there should be treated the same just becoming friends or ignore each other. I understand that Tutsis want there revenge but it is never going to stop if someone doesn’t do anything. More and more people will die everyday if people keep wanting there revenge.
ReplyDeleteIf I could see Mr. Rutayisire in person (talking to him one on one) I would ask him what it like is to see death in sick ways. How fast was his heart beeping when he had a machete up against his back? When he was telling us his story I thought it was amazing how he came out alive. Also when he told us a lot of his family died in it I felt really bad for him because I don’t know what I would do with out my family I am really glad I have them. I do and I don’t agree with the poet saying the blood is in our hands. I do agree because we could have stopped the battle and kept people alive. I don’t because any other country could of helped out it shouldn’t always be up to us.
Brandon Latimer
6th period
Mrs. Tuck
That video was awful. It makes your realize that we Americans are very fortunate and very spoiled. We complain if we do not have something that will not help us survive when really, Hutus and Tutsis are lucky to have things to survive. I don't know why they have to treat anyone different just because they are a Hutu or a Tutsis. In my opinion, nobody needs to be treated differently just because of their race. I wish all people could just get along even if they are a part of different culture.
ReplyDeleteThe video shows how unfairly power was used against people by the hutu government. Once they took control they began aggressions against the Tutsis who began fleeing to neighboring countries. The Hutus were treating the Tutsis just like they had been treated before the democratic elections. I think that the government should have been a force for fairness instead of egging for civil war. I would have asked Mr. Rutayisire which side of the conflict he would have been on if he had not fled the country.
ReplyDeleteI think the poet was wrong in saying that the UN could have stopped the violence. The UN was involved in the Gulf war at that time and did not have the time, money or resouces to immediately assist Rwanda. It is better for countries in a civil war to deal with their own problems rather than other countries to interfere with them which might cause more killing and a longer war.
Ryan Bullard
My response to the video is anger. I cannot believe that many of us( meaning countries) just stood there and watch this happen. Over 800,000 people were killed I believe that people should treat everybody the same way. The Hutus and Tutsis are a perfect example of what is not right. The people of Rwanda are separated from each other by the way they looked!
ReplyDeleteIf I had the chance to talk to the guest speaker I would ask him what was the worst part of the war for him, and how did that affect him. I would tell him that I thought it was very cool of him that he stayed religious the whole time. He never doubted God. I think it t=is the most amazing thing that he survived the war.
Yes I do agree with her because we could of done something. We could of sent more soldiers to Rwanda. We should of stopped the fighting right away. We shouldn’t of taken 90% of the U.S soldiers out of there. Money is not as important as people are!
Kelly Reid 6th period
I can't believe that people in their own country coud kill each other like that. If I had the chance to speak to Mr. Rutayisire I would ask him if he ever had thoughts of turning around after his family. I also think thet it was very sad and awful that his parents died. I also was realy amazed on how lucky he was to be alive. I think that if the French still ruled the Hutus and Tutsi the Rawondan civil war would not have occured.
ReplyDeleteI think that it was not the fault of the world that the slaughtering started. On the other hand I believe that we could have done better to try and stop it. In our civil war it was not Rawondans' fault it started. I think that it was terrible that the war started. All together I do not agree with the poet at all.
I feel like this story about Rwanda is important to know about because it makes me appreciate living in America and all the privileges we have. I am glad I was not part of this but sad for the Hutu and the Tutsis. I wish no one would have to go through all that violence and death. I think my questions would be hard for the speaker to answer. I would ask him why he didn't fight back and stand up for himself. I would ask him where he flew from to get here and was it hard leaving your family and friends. I agree with the poet. I feel like we should have sent troops over to stop and control the fighting. I think other countries should have helped too. We are all human beings and everybody deserves to live in peace.
ReplyDeleteThis was a tragic moment in Africa and I will never forget learning about this.
My first reaction was to turn my head because I was disgusted with the role the U.S.A played in the events of the genocide. I would not be able to be sympathetic with the speaker because this has never happened to me. I can only say I am sorry. If I could talk to the speaker I would ask how did it feel when you knew that some of your best freinds were forced to turn on you? I agree with the poet that the blood is on our hands. What did we do to stop it?, Nothing. We just sat around on the sidelines and argued about the definition of the word genocide. I feel like it is our fault that more than hundred thousands of people fell in this war. I know we wouldn't have stopped the whole thing , but we could have at least prevented some of the 800, 000 deaths.
ReplyDeleteNoah Smith
5th Period
I believe that the U.S.A should have helped with Rwanda's massacre. I can't believe that in the schools they were telling them to hate the other tribe. If I could speak with Mr. Rutayisire one on one I would ask him if he actually saw some one die. I would also ask if the children were taking part in the killing also. I think the U.S.A. and all other world powers are partially responsible because no one helped until it was too late.
ReplyDeleteThe killings in Rwanda are scary and difficult to think about. It is hard to believe that something like this could happen. It is scary to think that some people will kill because of their differences.
ReplyDeleteIf I had the chance to speak to Mr. Rutayisire I would ask him if he had to see any family members die and if he thought he would ever be able to put it out of his mind. I would want to know if he was mad that the USA, and other countries, did not help him or his family during this time. I would probably apologize to him for the USA and other countries. This makes me wonder if anybody would help out if something like this happened in our country. That is really sad and scary to think about.
I feel that the blood of Rwanda is on the hands of all countries that have the power to help during these times, and they do nothing. It is embarrassing and scary to know that our country could not go and rescue these people, or even stop the killings of all people in that conflict. The USA has always been there for other countries, so why not Rwanda?
The video made me feel like the U.S.A. took a major part in this genocide of Rwanda. I would ask Mr. Rutayisire did you ever imagine that you would come to America with most of your family dead in Rwanda. Is there anything you regret doing while the genocide was still happening. Before the genocide did you think that you had a fine life (not perfect)but you could deal with it.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with the poet I think that a couple of Americans didn't even know there was a genocide in Africa. The U.N. should have done something about the mass killings. I also think that the news didn't spread to hear so more people could have been involved in this.
Tyler Edwards
5th period
I think that the Rwanda Genocide could of been stopped in its earlier tracks because the UN could of stepped in and helped. I say this because they knew what was going to happen and when. Yet they were told to hold back. So instead of helping the Rwandans they laid back while a lot of people were dying. I cant beleive that so many people got killed and the UN who was supposed to keep peace couldn't fight.Also,my response to the video is that I felt really bad for the people on their that were talking about thier families and how most of them actually saw a family members life being taken. For example, when the girl was in the school house and she saw her grandmother being killed. If i were in her place at that moment I think i would of screamed. I think that her and many other people were very brave. I think this because I would of chickened out if my family mamber was being killed and probably gotten myself killed. If i had one on one time with the guest speaker i would ask him does he sometimes go back and think what if. I would ask him this because if survived this I would feel guilty for the family members who died.
ReplyDeleteWhen we first was watching the video I thought it was a little boring. As we watch it, it got really really sad.I almost cryed. Then the guy came to the school. I like his achsent. it was really sad because his family was deid as in his mom, dad, brother and stuff like that. they went the onther way than him. they went to the killers,and he went away from the killers
ReplyDeleteI think that we could have helped out in some kind of way, insted of sitting there worring about our problems. It was kind of selfish that we only thought about our people and not the millions of people dying in Africa. The belgins did not really help with the war the kind of made it worse. we should stop it if another tragity like this happens again. The blood is truely in our hands.
ReplyDeleteThis is one sad story because how would it feel to kill your best friend. I think that it was the UN's fault. Because they had information on where thay had weapons and the victims name. The video was very disturbing in some moments because it showed dead people in streets, lakes, houses and many other places. The UN had the oppertuinty to save many lives in Rwanda, Africa. I learned that the speaker was a surviver of the masucure that happen in Rwanda.
ReplyDeleteI think the Rawanda genicide was uncalled for.I just cant see why someone would kill there there friends and nieghbors.I would have asked him if he had seen one of hes family members die.I never knew geniced was that bad.I thoght it was just war...I guess I was wrong.I would also think America would have sent people to stop the genicide.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know about the blood of Rwanda and what happened a short time ago. It is sad that nobody thought of equal rights for the Ethnic groups that live in Rwanda. There was a lot of mass killings for no reason what so ever. I would like to ask the guest speaker one on one so that I can truly understand about his experience about living in Rwanda. I hope that Rwanda can avert this crisis and have equal right to the ethnic groups in Rwanda. I hope nothing happens to Rwanda like that again.
ReplyDeleteWell i think that we did try to help and there was not much we could do but i still think we probably could have tried a little harder!I still can't belive that they killed 800,000 people that is just unbelivable!I wish none of this ever happend and i wish everyone was nice to eachother, i mean we are all people and we need to treat people how we would want to be treated, not kill someone because someone tells you to. Also it doesn't matter if you are a hutu or tutsi we are all people and should not kill one another.
ReplyDeleteMy response to the film, guest speaker, and reading is wow. I was shocked when I saw the video. It really makes you realize how good you have it and how lucky we are to live in peace, no wars (at least in the U.S). I sometimes wonder what in the world people are thinking. If you think about it, killing your own countries people isn’t too smart. I would say that I think Mr. Rutayisire is brave. I don’t know what I’d do if I had lived in Rwanda in 1994. I would also ask him if he ever came close to being killed. And, shame on the Clinton administration! They should have acted much faster. What in the world were they thinking? 100 days!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree! What do they have to take care of in America that was as big as the genocide in Rwanda? They should have stepped in when the news broke.
Adam Lindner, 6th Period
My response to the video is anger. I cannot believe that many of us( meaning countries) just stood there and watch this happen. Over 800,000 people were killed I believe that people should treat everybody the same way. The Hutus and Tutsis are a perfect example of what is not right. The people of Rwanda are separated from each other by the way they looked!
ReplyDeleteIf I had the chance to talk to the guest speaker I would ask him what was the worst part of the war for him, and how did that affect him. I would tell him that I thought it was very cool of him that he stayed religious the whole time. He never doubted God. I think it t=is the most amazing thing that he survived the war.
Yes I do agree with her because we could of done something. We could of sent more soldiers to Rwanda. We should of stopped the fighting right away. We shouldn’t of taken 90% of the U.S soldiers out of there. Money is not as important as people are!
Kelly Reid 6th period
I think that it is crazy that none of the other countries around the world did anything to stop the Rwanda Genocide. There was really nothing any more major going on that should have stopped them from helping. I think that the war shows that just because we all look different, doesn't mean we don't have the right to live.
ReplyDeleteIf i got the chance to speak to Mr. Rutayisire one on one i would ask him what it was like knowing that you had no one, no family and no friends because they were all dead and how he kept going knowing that he had no one to Fall back on.
I completly agree with her! There really is no excuse for the other countries for not helping! There really was nothing as bad as the Rwand Genocide and none of the other countries even tried to stop it! I hope if something like this ever happens again that all the countries should try to help in some way.
-JORDAN NIEVINSKI-5th period-
In a way I do agree with the lady, and in a way i don`t. I think that we could have done more to help, we shouldn't have brought back soldiers when the Rwanda Genocide was going on.
ReplyDeleteIt makes me feel like I have a perfect life here in America, when I think about the Rwanda Genocide. I am definitely going to appreciate what I have even more, now that I have seen that video. We as human beings should not kill other human beings. That is just wrong... even though we may be different colors or speak different languages, we are all human beings.
If i could ask Mr. Rutayisire any questions I wanted, I would ask him if he thought that he was going to survive the genocide. Here`s another question... Would you have come to America if you had the choice to, before the Genocide? I also think that it is really cool that he believed in god the whole way on his journey of surviving the genocide?
I think that America itself should have stood up for the other people and gave the UN a chance to stop and resolve the issue without war. I have a feeling that this won't be the last that we hear of from the country Rwanda and this 'g-word' that happened. Also, I think that we should actually call the Rwanda Genocide actually genocide instead of calling it the g word and stop that dance between calling it the g word and calling it genocide. One day we might have to face reality and start to think that this famous controversy might happen again.
ReplyDeleteKimberly Crooks
5th period
Mrs.Tuck
I think what happened was HORRIBLE and we didn't even HELP!!!!! That was selfish and very stupid I think cause if we would've helped we could've saved a lot of lifes. Gosh I'm glad i wasn't alive that would make me feel even worse :( Seeing that surviver on friday made me think.... what would THEY do if the civil war was to happen again? Our own Genicide.... If i were them i don't know what I'd do.... God be with the remaining survivers and god bless those who were murdered for no reason...may they be ammoung Angels and not Demons....
ReplyDeleteAfter watching the Rwanda video I felt disapointed in our country and all the other countries refusing to assist in helping Rwanda due to money issues. I believe that it doesnt matter what type of man whether, American, African, Asian, Australian and any other continent you live on it should never be okay to harm or mistreat another. I do not feel anger towards the Hutus for doing what they did, because I believe that they were brainwashed by the radio stations and the propaganda being used on them. I do not think what they did was right, or how they took care of their problems with the Tutsis, but I honestly believe that the radio stations played a huge part in this tragedy. As for the guest speaker, I don't have any questions for him but I will always think of himand honor him for his bravery and for surviving this horrible event in history.
ReplyDeleteThe poet stated that the blood was on our hands, and I couldn't agree more. We shouldnt have been fighting over money, if anything we should have been fighting over the best battle strategy. I don't think we are fully responsible for the Rwandan genocide, but I strongly belive that we could have cut the death rate almost in half had been there from the start.
I think that the killings in Rwanda were viscious, horrible, and completely uncalled for. If I could ask the speaker anything, I would ask him if he regretted anything from his time in the genocide. Another question I might ask him is to tell more of his wifes story. The last question I might is how unlucky he could get? He said that the country he ran to was having a civil war, and soon after all this, he got leukemia. After listening to the poem "The Blood of Rwanda", I was very moved and touched in a negative way. When she said it was our fault, I thought how? If the genocide happened there, how is it our fault. Maybe we could have stopped a lot earlier and yeah maybe we could have saved lives, but not that many. We might have actually killed more lives because we would have killed the people that tried to kill the Tutsis. I think the genocide of Rwanda helped the United Nations so they could find a way to stop it for the next time.
ReplyDeleteJacob Bunting
5th Period
I think it is extemly unfair to all the people who died just because they wre Hutus or Tutsis.It was very sad and uncomfortable to watch the movie.I think it was very brave of the speaker to come and talk to us.I don't think I would ever be able to talk about it if something like this happened to me.I am quite sad to report that the poet is correct,we and the rest of the world should have done something more to stop this genocide from happening.But whats done is already done and we can't change it,but hopefully we can learn from it and prevent it from happening in the future.It is like this saying my best friend Abby used to tell me before she moved to Michigan,"Yesterday is history,tomorrow is a mystry,but today is a gift,thats why its called the present!
ReplyDeleteWatching this video really touched me. I while watching it I had a lot of emotoins going through my head. I could not rap my head around why anyone would do something so horrible for (personaly) no good reason at all. If I had gotten the chance to talk one-on-one with our guest speaker I would have asked him what he was thinking while he say esacping. It couldn't have been easy seeing something so horrible happen to your country. I also wonder if he beleived in Jesus when he came to America or was he a Christain befor he arrived here.
ReplyDeleteI can't beleive we (America) just stood there and whatched it happen! I don't think the war was our fault but I agree that it was selfish of us to complain about who was going to pay when thousands of lives were dying!
McLaren Brieaddy 6th period.
I was very disturbed by movie. I am upset that 800,000 people got killed. I still do not understand why the United States didn’t help and they just called it off. I hope next time something like this happens we do more about it. It is extremely sad about what happened in Rwanda. I do not understand why the man bulldozed all the people in the church. It is unbelievable what happened. So many people died for just being who they are and how they looked. I was surprised of the living conditions of the speaker who came to our schools living conditions in Rwanda, and he said he was middle class in his country. They had no electricity or water. I hope nothing like this event in history ever occers again.
ReplyDeleteI absolutly agree that it was in our hands to stop the violence.We had the oportunity to help and we didnt and that is our falt and they suffered because of it.If i were to meet the author i would definetly have some things to ask.Why would she write something about the Rwanda Genocide if she didnt live it i believe you have to be present to really feel the pain.In a way this is lie racism they are judging people by the way they look.
ReplyDeleteI think the poet said the blood in our hands means we just stood there doing nothing, just watching people dying! Didn't the UN was there so no killing would happen?! I think its the UN's fault for not stopping this thing from happening.
ReplyDeletewell first of all i thought that the guest speaker was amazing. its was cool to here how he got away and how he survived and everything. second after reading this poem i dont agree with it, i dont think it was the u.s.a"s fault in not helping. we tried all we could and its not are fault.third i think its kinda wrong to kill 800,000 people beacuse the death of 1 president.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the killings in Rwanda were dreadful! I think that the Hutus had no reason to do that to the toosies. If I could ask the guest speaker one thing it would be if he had any regrets about his experience in the genocide. Listening to the poem nearly made me cry for it was emotionally scarring. If I was alive then I would feel even worse. I am very angry at us for not helping and I totally agree with the poet on this matter. If I was in charge of the UN I would have done something to help. I hate that that happened and I hope that doesn't happen again anywhere.
ReplyDeleteRyan Davies
5th period
I deffinately agree with the poet! America was so stupid and ignorant for not trying to help these people. America was so lazy and stuck up that they wouldnt say the word genocide beacause of the deal they made after World War Two! If i could ask our guest speaker anything I would ask him if he knew anything about americas pitiful efforts to help the Rwandans. I also don't understand the why the Tutsis and Hutus hated eachother. They are like democrats and republicans, but we don't kill one another of like some ind of animal!
ReplyDeleteMason Heavener
5th period
My response to the video is shame and anger. The shamefulness is on the U.N. and United States. We could have helped stop the war but instead we encouraged it. I completely agree with the poet. The blood of Rwanda is on our hands. We could have saved the lives of hundreds, maybe thousands of people. We mostly sat back and just avoided it! Instead of helping to stop the war we simply sat back and watched it happen. We wouldn't even say the word genocide! Truth be told I think that the U.N. should be truly ashamed of themselves. All in all Yes I agree with the author and yes I think that the blood of Rwanda is on our hands.
ReplyDeleteMichaela Shaw
5th period
This video was one of the most terrifying video i have ever seen.I think that a thing i would ask the guy from rwanda is what was the most disturbing thing that you saw and how would you beable to live through that horrible experience.I think what the poet meant is that we could've stop the genocide but we were to concerned about the money.So i agree the united nations could've stopped thousands killings.I wonder if the UN feels guilty about what they could have done. I stillcan't belive thhat these things happened in Rwanda over such a dumb thing. One president's life is not worth 800000 lives.The whole thing is just horrific.
ReplyDeleteI think that the mass killings of Rwanda was very tragic and horrible. I hope that none of that type of thing ever happens again. I do think that some of the blood was in our hands. If the poet meant that it was wrong for the whole world not to interveen she was totally true. This genocide can keep happening if the people who are killing know they will not get consequences. Now if the poet ment it was just the U.S.'s fault then she is partialy right. We should have done something to stop the killings but then again so should have Europe Asia and all the other Continents and countries. If I had the oppurtinuty to speak with the speaker one on one my most important question would be what type of emotions did he have other than him being scared. For example was he mad or did he regret leaving his family.
ReplyDeleteAt first I didn't understand why this was a poem. But as the story progressed it made more sense. I would ask him "what would you say on the subject and how does this make you feel". I think that this story is very explainig of what happened. You might not understand at first but if you pay close attention it is easier to undrstand. This poem cuts deep into my feelings and how I feel about the genocide. Yes in my opinoin the U.S.A. and other world powers refused because governmnt officials don't use the word 'genocide'. If over 200,00 die in one week than yeah thats genocide. someone should have stepped up and sad something regarding the sudden outbreak!!!!!! Whos going to make those future decisions??
ReplyDeleteWhile watching the video, I was disgusted at how neighbors and friends could kill each other just over race. Even though it is considered "rude" to show emotion in Rwanda, I think they could have let it pass since around 800,000 people died. I was very surprised that no one in the video cried or even showed the smallest of emotion. If I could ask Mr. Rutayisire if he felt abandoned when all of his friends and family were killed.
ReplyDeleteThe movie was really intense, especialy at the begining. As I saw all of the bodies laying on the ground I thought of their absolute helplessness. Also in the poem when she said "scatter like cockroaches" it makes me think of how many people died. If I was to talk to Mr. Rutyaisire I would ask him about how he got from Rwanda to New Jersey. When the poet said "on our hands" she means that because we (we being the U.S.) just sat around while innocent people died, and now we have to live with our mistake.
ReplyDeleteAmanda Collins
6th period
I think that the other countries should have helped Rwanda during the genocide there was no excuse not to help. Also when i watched the video it was very sad seeing so many people die in so harmful way. last, if i had a chance to talk to Mrs, Rutayisire i would ask him how was it like to be in Rwanda during the genocide also how he last his family also about how he come to America.
ReplyDeleteWhy do people feel like they have to kill people just because there different? There’s nothing wrong with being different from everyone else. I definitely think that we should have helped stop the killing, but instead we just sat and talked about it! If the UN or somebody just stepped in they could have saved thousands of lives! America should have stepped in and done something! Does that consider us as killers to because we didn’t bother to help?
ReplyDeleteRobert Eskridge
3rd period
Four me the movie was bery sad and scary.if i was there i would probaly try 2 stop it.and i think mrs.rotayisir coulnt speek 2 us realy well because it is hart to remenber about his family that die.i think the wen the poet saids blod in our hands means that we dint do nothing 2 stop the faighting.
ReplyDeleteif i hade a canse 2 speek to mrs,rotayisir i wold ask hem if there was any reliative that sorvivei in rwanda...
I was disturbed that these people just turned against each other. This was probably VERY scary for everyone who experienced it. I am thankful that something like this didn't happen in the US. I hope that in the future we will not have to worry about things like this ever happening again. I am very sorry that all of those 800000 people died and will remember this historical event. I cannot imagine what it would be like to lose some of your close friends and family. We are very spoiled compared to people in Rwanda and we should all be very thankful. I believe that everyone should know about this because it is very important imformation. THE END
ReplyDeleteI feel for the people who were involved in the genocide.To think about what those poor people went through is horrible.While i was watching the video in class the other day really made me think about how much i have and to think those people would never get to even think about having half of the things i have here today such as my laptop my ipad my ipod my school books and the fancy and warm clothes we have.The people in Rowonda must have not known that the genocide was comming because i know i would have tried to get out of that place as fast as my feet could carry me!!!! I wish we would have been more help to the people there and saved more lives .It would have been a good thought to know we saved people from a horrible violent death.So next time that your mom dad grandmaw grandpaw or anyone buys you something and you dont say thankyou or appreciate it remeber the people in rowonda who would do anything they could to have what you have!!!!
ReplyDeleteHannah Mize
6th period